Extract
Fractures of the femoral component in total hip arthroplasty have been
extensively
reported1-9.
Although some patients with such a fracture have acute symptoms and obvious
radiographic findings, we have occasionally seen patients after total hip
arthroplasty who have thigh pain and normal radiographic findings. The patient
is often vague with regard to the time of the onset and the provocation of the
thigh pain. After a period of time, a fracture of the femoral component can be
seen on plain radiographs. To the best of our knowledge, the case of our
patient is unique because, when we suspected a possible fracture of the
femoral component as the cause of the thigh pain, we used magnetic resonance
imaging to evaluate the integrity of the stem and found an occult fracture of
the femoral component. Our patient was informed that data concerning the case
would be submitted for publication.